KAMPALA - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza has called on Rwandans in the Diaspora to turn up for the upcoming Presidential elections slated for next month, saying that it’s their fundamental right to participate in their country’s programmes.

The Premier made the call in an exclusive interview with The New Times on the sidelines of the African Union Summit where he represented President Paul Kagame.

"Participation of the Rwandan Diaspora in the elections, I am sure, will strengthen our governance and democracy which will lead to development…and voting is a right that no one can deny them. It’s their responsibility as Rwandans to participate in the development of their nation,” he said
"They should go to their respective embassies in their countries and cast votes”.

He castigated reports that the forthcoming polls would not be free and fair, adding that those claiming so should provide evidence to substantiate their statements.

"We are going to have free and fair elections…as we speak now, all candidates are campaigning freely, and they have been given equal coverage by the media.

Meanwhile, in the same interview, Makuza spoke of the thousands of Rwandan refugees living in several countries, saying that the country has an obligation of assessing the living conditions of its nationals living in various countries.

"It’s our obligation as Rwanda to know the conditions of our people, whether they are living miserable lives or not, whether they are causing conflicts in their host countries… we are responsible for all that,” he said.

He therefore appealed to refugees to repatriate, saying that Rwanda is peaceful and would provide the necessary logistics possible to facilitate them return home.

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